Leadership & Staff

Dr. Lee Pearson has more than 15 years of experience in addressing the public health priorities of South Carolina.  He has a considerable administrative background and has served as principal investigator or director for numerous grant projects—focusing in large part on public health preparedness.  He has also worked with a diverse array of public health practice initiatives and has served in leadership roles for several community-based efforts.  Dr. Pearson also has an extensive background in chronic disease prevention with more than a decade of experience in clinical cardiovascular health services.  He served in leadership roles on both the statewide steering committee and advisory council for the South Carolina Cardiovascular Health Program, and he has been an active advocate for healthy lifestyles through his involvement in a number of local and statewide initiatives.  As a research associate and adjunct faculty member at the USC Arnold School of Public Health, Dr. Pearson is consistently engaged in research and practice efforts designed to improve the health of South Carolinians.  In his role as Director of SCPHI, Dr. Pearson oversees the organizational development of the Institute with a focus on partnerships and project development activities.

Joseph L. (Lee) Pearson,
MS, DrPH
Director